Chemistry 100                                                   The World Of Chemistry

Fall 2003                                                                  Professor Muhoberac                       

 

Course Objectives

 

(1) To learn about atoms, their assembly into molecules, and the chemical composition of a variety of substances. To study many of the chemical processes that occur around us and as part of us.

 

(2) To learn about protons, neutrons and electrons and how these subatomic particles assemble into atoms with specific properties. To understand the relationship between mass and energy, the importance of radioactive materials, and how nuclear reactions occur.

 

(3)  To appreciate the interconnectiveness of the chemical processes that make up our environment and ourselves. To understand how life depends on organized chemistry and that many processes are cyclical in nature.

 

(4) To learn about and to develop a more global perspective concerning energy production, manufacturing, the environment, and biotechnology, as well as pharmaceutical research, cost and drug availability. To discuss related ethical questions.

 

(5) To become aware of and discuss current scientific discoveries and controversies found in the newspapers and on the web. To learn to differentiate junk science from science.

 

(6)  To become a more informed decision maker with respect to current political issues that are based on science, and to understand cost-benefit analysis including hidden costs and benefits.

 

Text

 

Chemistry: A World of Choices P.B. (2003) Kelter, J.D. Carr and A. Scott, Second Edition, McGraw-Hill

 

 

Supplemental Material

 

Supplemental course material is on reserve in the Library under C100. Often reading a second text can be helpful in understanding a difficult concept. A second text may also provide worked examples in addition to those given in class and in your text.

 

 

Study Suggestions

 

Students are expected to read appropriate chapters in the Kelter text before coming to class. Be prepared. Lectures will follow the sequence of chapters given in the text, unless otherwise noted in class. The instructor will often emphasize one part of the chapter more than another. Thus attending class and taking notes properly in class will help you focus on the material that I consider important. I may incorporate material from a web site, a news article, or another text into this course, which further emphasizes the importance of taking notes. I may also instruct you to read certain pages a few chapters ahead from your text, if they are pertinent to the lecture. I plan to cover almost all of the chapters in your text.

 

The time spent on material in class and your class notes are a very good guide to the topics and depth I consider appropriate on exams. Thus, on your first or second class period, it may be helpful to identify someone who can provide a good set of notes to you if you are absent from the class.

 

Do not wait until the weekend before an exam to start studying. A proper understanding of this material requires the sequential accumulation of knowledge ­ a layering of understanding of the material from lecture to lecture. Study regularly (and more than once) each week and make sure you understand the worked examples that I give in class, as well as worked exercises from your text.

 

 

Class Attendance And Participation

 

I want to emphasize that your attendance and participation in class is important. Each of you are expected to bring a brief science-related news article that you can read to the class and briefly discussed. These may be found in the newspaper or at various sites on the web, and are sometimes referenced as to source, which helps determine their scientific authenticity and relevance. For example, I am now looking at a 16 sentence news article on an important neurotransmitter (serotonin) that I found under Reuters Health/Yahoo News. The article is referenced to the source journal Science, which is a well respected research journal. News stories that pertain to current events that are scientifically related may also be discussed.

 

 

Office Hours

 

It is my usual practice to offer to meet with you immediately after lecture to provide additional explanation and discussion of material. However, you may also schedule an office visit.

 

 

Grading And Point Distribution

 

Your grade will be determined by three in-class exams and a comprehensive final exam. The point distribution is given below. These in-class exams will not require the entire class period and will be followed by class lecture. Calculations (basically arithmetic) may be required to arrive at the answers, so bring a calculator to the exams and final. I will provide a class distribution of numerical scores from each exam, the class average, and approximate grade cutoffs for numerical scores. Your performance in class should be clear to you from this information.

 

Please note that you must take the three in-class exams and the comprehensive final exam at their scheduled times on their scheduled days. There are no makeup exams. It is your responsibility to set aside the lecture times and especially the exam times to attend class. I will ask you to provide documentation of illness if it interferes with your attendance. Note in addition that on exam days I may assign specific seating. Students cheating or aiding in cheating are in violation of university ethics regulations and are risk for punitive action.

 

            Three Exams at 100 points each                      300

            Comprehensive Final at 200 points                 200

            Total points                                                     500

 

 

Practice Exam

 

In order for you to better understand my exam style and expectations, one practice in-class exam will be administered to you and graded prior to the first formal in-class exam. I urge you to study for this exam as you would the others. This exam can serve as a realistic preview of what to expect in testing for the course. This practice exam helps prevent surprises.